Russia condemned for attack on nuclear power plant

Vladimir Putin's "barbaric" combat tactics in Ukraine sparked global alarm on Friday after Russian forces captured Europe's largest nuclear power plant in an attack that briefly set a building at the complex on fire. World leaders condemned the "reckless" attack on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in south-eastern Ukraine.

The nuclear power plant "Zaporozhiya" is strategically important, as it provides a quarter of the total electric power needs of Ukraine. According to the Russian army, the nuclear power plant is intact and continues to operate normally. According to their statements, the Russian soldiers are now securing the nuclear power plant, but are not interfering with the work processes. All workers and technicians are at their posts without interruption. There is no danger.

More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine as Russia's nine-day invasion grew increasingly destructive, bringing siege warfare to frontline cities and firing nearly 500 rockets, according to US estimates. Josep Borrell, EU chief diplomat, called the "barbaric" invasion of Russia "the ugly face of war" and added: "The Russians are bombing and shelling everything - hospitals, houses, schools".

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, warned: "The coming days will probably get even worse."

The Zaporizhia fire increased Western concerns about Russian tactics. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the fire was extinguished without spreading, no nuclear reactors or vital equipment were damaged and radiation levels remained unchanged, which is as far as the Russian army says.

However, the Ukrainian authorities warned of the ongoing risks of operating the facility in combat conditions. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, has accused Ukraine's armed forces of staging an "egregious provocation". Ukrainian personnel continue to operate the facility, albeit under Russian control.

The Pentagon said it was unable to get a clear account of the incident. "While we don't see a radioactive leak, that doesn't excuse trying to take over a nuclear power plant with combat capability," the official said. "It's just another clue underscoring the ruthlessness of this Russian invasion."

Ukraine's urban centers have also been heavily bombed, including the siege of the port city of Mariupol, whose nearly 500,000 residents are without food, water and electricity.

The office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday warned of an impending "humanitarian catastrophe" and said it had asked the International Committee of the Red Cross for help in evacuating civilians and providing emergency relief.

In the face of growing global concern, NATO discussed establishing a no-fly zone in Ukraine, but agreed that it should not be established. "The allies agree that there should be no NATO aircraft in Ukrainian airspace and no NATO troops in Ukrainian territory," said Stoltenberg after a crisis meeting with the foreign ministers of the 30 NATO allies in Brussels.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia has "no ill intentions" towards its neighbors, but added: "I would also advise them not to escalate the situation."